Retrovirus

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Posts by Retrovirus

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  26

  The latest July 15 WT - un-real.

  by just n from bethel in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  i've been trying for some time to find the motiviation i needed to completely leave the cult behind.

  i'm mean, do it emotionally as well as mentally (whole-souled, right?

  ), despite still having a lot of family and friends that are cult members.

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  Retrovirus

  What most struck me was the description of "money, a good job and nice things" as "unrealities" (first article para 16). this is supported by an illustration of a huge house, car, yacht, swimming pool and gold bars on a ridiculously crumbling cliff.

  So, are they trying to push the believers into total lunacy? A house, large or small is real. It is a necessity, most especially when you have children. A job to pay life's expenses is also real and necessary. It cannot be confused with desiring improbable luxuries.

  And if these are not real, what is? Apparently the current interpretation of the "feelings" of a cranky god with a mispronounced name.

  !
• 
  76

  Prayers for my daughter, Ali, not a good update

  by coffee_black in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  my last update on my daughter was so good...but it didn't turn out that way.

  she was cleared to go back to work, but with limitations... she couldn't lift more than 10 pounds.

  her employer wanted her back but wouldn't agree to the lifting restriction.

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  Retrovirus

  My thoughts are with you and your beautiful daughter. Sincerest wishes that her health improves!
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  31

  So do you believe DJEggNogg works in the WT's Writing Department?

  by miseryloveselders in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  http://www.jehovahs-witness.net/members/private/208658/4/do-jws-still-believe-in-1914.

  @anony mous:.

  you are definitely not keeping up to date with the current wtbts doctrine.. .

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  Retrovirus

  Such skepticism! I'm sure he combines full-time writing for the wt with his fulltime paralegal work and being a DJ at nights

  . . .since he is after all a genius. . .
• 
  22

  My daughter asked me why we don't go to meetings

  by JWinprotest in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  last night, completely out of the blue, my 6 year old daughter, asked my wife and i why we don't go to meetings anymore.

  she actually said that she misses them.

  i know, where have i failed!!!.

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  Retrovirus

  I'd combine two sugggestions made by several posters

  After careful thought and prayer we found. . . But involve her in your research and thoughts. Teach her to spot logical fallacies in other slanted literature such as ads and infomercials and let her connect the dots in the wt "literature". Read Bible passages together and discuss how something in the wt material could have (or couldn't!) be derived from them.

  Also explain your own feelings when you discovered these things.

  A bit of work, but cult-proofing is a good idea with still-in relatives around.
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  52

  I ended my bible study today

  by still thinking in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  i have officially stopped my bible study today.

  i have been trying to for weeks (after 10 years of on/off studying).

  it got to the stage where i was asking too many of those questions that made everyone feel uncomfortable.

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  Retrovirus

  Also I just read your earlier post. Yes, the religions that claim "THE TRUTH" are a racket, every one. It would be a mean God who sided with one sect and condemned the rest wouldn't it?

  You may wish to expand your Bible studies to studying the history of the time, or to other religious and/or philosophical works. It would give perspective, and there are courses and discussion groups. Not to mention forums!

  Happy exploring!
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  52

  I ended my bible study today

  by still thinking in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  i have officially stopped my bible study today.

  i have been trying to for weeks (after 10 years of on/off studying).

  it got to the stage where i was asking too many of those questions that made everyone feel uncomfortable.

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  Retrovirus

  Stillthinking, I read it on my own, rather than studying it. I cannot believe it to be inerrant; too many internal contradictions! Still the KJV is good reading.

  I am a member of a small religious group with very liberal beliefs (rather like Unitarians) and we have discussion groups about every two months. A bit far from my home but I enjoy them when I make the effort.

  Retro
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  52

  I ended my bible study today

  by still thinking in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  i have officially stopped my bible study today.

  i have been trying to for weeks (after 10 years of on/off studying).

  it got to the stage where i was asking too many of those questions that made everyone feel uncomfortable.

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  Retrovirus

  Hi still thinking,

  Like you, I'm a non-jw, but my bible study ladies stopped the sessions. I also asked too many questions! They are honest and pleasant people (even bought The Neck of the Giraffe to check my claims!) but I don't often see them now.

  They always assert that nothing would make them doubt the wt, and I always pointed out that my questions came from facts and logic, and I had no wish to change them to anything.

  It's a shame, but I don't think that anyone who puts someone's instructions ahead of their own conscience can ever be a good friend; certainly the friendship is always conditional on you being approved by the instructor!

  I hope you find a like minded group or religion, and new friends.
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  14

  I Guess I Don't Matter

  by headisspinning in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  i'm pretty upset.

  my sister just asked me if my ex bothered to mention that both of my kids were announced as publishers last thursday night.. nobody said a word to me.. i just called my ex and told him that i was pretty furious - at least he apologized which i have to say, i have heard the words 'i'm sorry' from him about 5 times in the 14 years we we married.. anyway, i'm sad.

  the kids didn't even bother to tell me... i would like to think that means it's not important to them... but with a sinking feeling i think that i'm what doesn't matter..

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  Retrovirus

  Sorry for what you're going through, Headisspinning! When my marriage ended and the ex had a GF, the kids would go for the weekend and come back full of talk about how nice they were, presents they'd got, places they'd been to. I felt like a cast-off mum, just the mid-week carer.

  But I promise you it will get better. Your kids will have someone they can talk to when the wt loses its grip on them as seems to happen with so many young ones. Hang in there and be there when they need you.
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  5

  The Three Phases Of "The Truth"

  by Kensho in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  i had a discussion one day with my son about "the truth" i stated the truth is fluid it is always in motion never as black and white as we would like to think because as humans we are always growing and learning new things (hopefully).. ridiculed-violently opposed-becomes self-evident are the 3 phases that are seen when any new discovery in science or breakthrough technology first appears.

  the following is what i surmize are the 3 main phases jw's go through when faced with the real truth.

  (from personal experience).

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  Retrovirus

  Yes, I can relate. Claiming to have "the Truth" cannot be sustained

  In my "Bible Studies" I must have overdone the questions - or the tolerance for questions is limited even then.

  I identified three stages which may align:

  1. Denial - "read it again carefully" or " you didn't understand"

  2. Poisoning the well - "where did you get that?" "who said this?" "They cannot be trusted" "that webpage is worldly/satanic"

  3. Shoot the messenger "you don't really want to learn, do you?"

  Sadly they never got beyond that - but seeing how others here have suffered as they exited, perhaps that's OK. My only aim was and is to plant a few doubts so that they'll be a bit hesitant with future converts.
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  46

  My Study Conductor Jumped Ship - Any Possible Explanations?

  by InterestedOne in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  my study conductor has informed me that he & his wife are switching to a foreign language congregation that is far away from the territory they live in (it will involve a lot of driving back & forth).

  because he is switching congregations, he said he will not have the energy to devote to my study and recommended another brother who could take over, and i have met him.

  however, this change happened simultaneously with a decision i have made.

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  Retrovirus

  What dgp and Lozhasleft said. I know that JWs are up for any kind of Bible study because my ex-SIL and I corresponded regularly for years and after a few months she'd say "that's the family news; now for the study. . . ". Didn't even know what is was in those days!

  When I didn't "progress" she set the locals onto me. We lasted another 8 months, and then they abandoned me to Satan also.

  The key is, do you validate their faith by "progressing in the Truth" (aka "growing spiritually" ), or make them uncomfortable by asking too many questions and failing to accept their "authority".